The mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of the Korean subspecies (Falco tinnunculus interstinctus) of the common kestrel has been analyzed. According to the molecular phylogeny of six subspecies of common kestrel, six subspecies of the common kestrel were divided into two clades: the first clade is composed of the South African subspecies (F. t. rupicolus) and the second clade includes 5 subspecies (F. t. tinnunculus, F. t. rufescens, F. t. interstinctus, F. t. canariensis and F. t. dacotiae) of the common kestrel. Korean subspecies, F. t. interstinctus was closely related to F. t. rufescens and original subspecies F. t. tinnunculus.